Advertisement

'Absolute hero': MP's desperate bid to save slain police officer

As pedestrians and politicians were ushered to safety during Wednesday's London terror attack, one MP risked his life to save another.

Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood emerged from a sea of paramedics with blood smeared across his face after giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to police officer, Keith Palmer, who was fatally stabbed outside Parliament.

Minister Ellwood ignored orders to stay inside to see whether he could help.

The former army officer is no stranger to terror either, losing his brother in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings.

Wandering outside, the MP discovered discovered the wounded police officer and rushed to his aid.

It was at that point his military training kicked in.

MP Tobias Ellwood remained on the scene providing mouth-to-mouth CPR until paramedics arrived at the scene. Source: AP
MP Tobias Ellwood remained on the scene providing mouth-to-mouth CPR until paramedics arrived at the scene. Source: AP
The minister emerged from the scene with blood smeared on his forehead. Source: AP
The minister emerged from the scene with blood smeared on his forehead. Source: AP

Witnesses said they saw the British MP desperately performing CPR and did not stop until medical staff and an air ambulance landed in Parliament Square.

The police officer was allegedly stabbed multiple times by the knife-wielding assailant, responsible for the Westminster Bridge tragedy that killed five people.

Attempts to save Officer Palmer were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead shortly after.

The news of Officer Palmer’s death was confirmed by Scotland Yard's top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley.

Police officer Keith Palmer was killed in the attack. Photo: Met Police.
Police officer Keith Palmer was killed in the attack. Photo: Met Police.

"Keith was 48 and had 15 years' service, and was a husband and a father," Assistant Commissioner Rowley said.

"He was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift, and he had every right to expect that would happen."

The attacker was killed by police outside Parliament. Photo: AAP
The attacker was killed by police outside Parliament. Photo: AAP


Eyewitness Hugh Dickinson posted a picture of the minister on Twitter, showing the minister bleeding and surrounded by first aid supplies.

“He had blood on his forehead as you can see but he wasn’t bleeding profusely,” Mr Dickinson wrote.

“It looked like either a smear or graze and you can see some on his cuff too if you zoom in. He looked to be fine – no obvious limp or anything.”

Meanwhile colleagues took to Twitter to heap praise on the MP for his heroic efforts.

“Tobias Elwood is an absolute hero for what he did to help the policeman this afternoon,” MP Ben Howlett said.

“Huge respect for my friend Tobias Ellwood MP who tried to save the stabbed policeman, and staunch blood from multiple stab wounds,” Frank Gardner tweeted.